IC design service provider Global Unichip is expected to report 15-20% sequential growth in revenues for the third quarter of 2011, as orders for 65nm and 40nm non-recurring engineering (NRE) designs are being fulfilled, according to market watchers.

Global Unichip has reportedly secured orders for 4G baseband chips from a Korea-based handset vendor, and also contracts for 65nm and 40nm chips for communications and consumer electronics applications from Japan- and China-based brand-name companies. Fulfillment of the orders will buoy Global Unichip's sales performance in the second half of 2011, the watchers indicated.

In addition, Global Unichip is expected to benefit from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC's) reported orders for Apple's next-generation CPUs. Industry sources claim Apple has signed a foundry partnership agreement with TSMC under which the foundry will apply its 28nm and 20nm process technologies to produce upcoming A-series chips. Global Unichip, the IC design service provider partnering with TSMC, will be responsible for printed circuit board designs for the orders, the sources indicated.

Global Unichip has responded saying it does not comment on individual clients.

Global Unichip posted revenues of NT$891 million (US$30 million) in August 2011, up 41% on month and 0.3% on year. Accumulated revenues from January through August amounted to NT$5.76 billion, down 12.7% from a year ago.